Fair value accounting research paper

Quoted prices, credit data, yield curveetc.

Economic understanding[ edit ] Vs market price[ edit ] There are two schools of thought about the relation between the market price and fair value in any form of market, but especially with regard to tradable assets: Quoted prices are the most accurate measurement of fair value; however, many times an active market does not exist so other methods have to be used to estimate the fair Fair value accounting research paper on an asset or liability.

Market Value requires this element of Special Value to be disregarded, but it forms part of the assessment of Fair Value. Both the price and costs to do the transaction must be considered in determining which market is the most advantageous market.

However, relatively few items, especially physical assets, actually trade in active markets. So as the term is generally used, Fair Value can be clearly distinguished from Market Value. In many circumstances, quoted market prices are unavailable. Absence of one single consistent framework for applying fair value measurements and developing a reliable estimate of a fair value in the absence of quoted prices has created inconsistencies and incomparability.

This is equal to the spot price after taking into account compounded interest and dividends lost because the investor owns the futures contract rather than the physical stocks over a certain period of time.

Significant assumptions or inputs used in the valuation technique requires the use of inputs that are observable in the market. Fair Value in the Futures Market In the futures marketfair value is the equilibrium price for a futures contract. This is equal to the spot price after taking into account compounded interest and dividends lost because the investor owns the futures contract rather than the physical stocks over a certain period of time.

In this case, the reporting company has to make some assumptions about what the fair value of the reported items might be in a market.

This is often an issue when accountants perform a company valuation. Fair Value is frequently used when undertaking due diligence in corporate transactions, where particular synergies between the two parties may mean that the price that is fair between them is higher than the price that might be obtainable on the wider market.

Information at this level is based on direct observations of transactions involving the identical assets or liabilities being valued, not assumptions, and thus offers superior reliability.

The first involves less-active markets for identical assets and liabilities; this category is ranked lower because the market consensus about value may not be strong.

To deal with this shortage of direct data, the board provided a second level of inputs that can be applied in three situations: This problem is compounded when numerous assets and liabilities are reported at historical cost, leading to a balance sheet that may be greatly undervalued. The resulting fair value estimate would then be classified in Level Two or Level Three.

However, even proponents of behavioral finance generally acknowledge that behavioral anomalies that may cause such a divergence often do so in ways that are unpredictable, chaotic, or otherwise difficult to capture in a sustainable profitable trading strategy, especially when accounting for transaction costs.

Topic emphasizes the use of market inputs in estimating the fair value for an asset or liability. This is used for assets whose carrying value is based on mark-to-market valuations; for assets carried at historical costthe fair value of the asset is not used.

If more than one market is available, Topic requires the use of the "most advantageous market".

It requires the assessment of the price that is fair between two specific parties taking into account the respective advantages or disadvantages that each will gain from the transaction.

FASB published a staff position brief on October 10,in order to clarify the provision in case of an illiquid market. An example would be a stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange. The accountant may use the discounted cash flows generated by the asset to determine a fair value.

Say, for example, an accountant cannot determine a fair value for an unusual piece of equipment. The third situation exists when no active or less-active markets exist for similar assets and liabilities, but some observable market data is sufficiently applicable to the reported items to allow the fair values to be estimated.

In other words Special Value may be generated. The fair value of a derivative is determined, in part, by the value of an underlying asset. The value of the discounted cash flows is the fair value of the asset.

In its deliberations of Statementthe FASB revisited that issue and again renewed its commitment to eventually measuring all financial instruments at fair value. Topic emphasizes that assumptions used to estimate fair value should be from the perspective of an unrelated market participant.

On the other side of the balance sheet the fair value of a liability is the amount at which that liability could be incurred or settled in a current transaction. The second arises when the owned assets and owed liabilities are similar to, but not the same as, those traded in a market.

However, application to nonfinancial assets and liabilities was deferred until While internal inputs are used, the objective remains the same:The new accounting standard (FASB ASC ) requires acquiring firms to estimate the fair value of net assets acquired and recognize the excess amount over purchase price as a bargain purchase gain, a component of current earnings.

The flexibility in fair value measurement provides acquiring. ∗ This white paper was commissioned by the Council of Institutional Investors for the purpose of educating Under fair value accounting, firms report the fair values of the positions they currently hold on their balance sheets.

When fair value accounting is applied fully, firms. Research; Positive accounting; Sarbanes–Oxley Act; If, however, ABC and XYZ reported financial information using fair-value accounting, then both would report an asset of $2 million.

The fair-value balance sheet provides information for investors who are interested in the current value of assets and liabilities, not the historical cost. Fair value in accounting, per the International Accounting Standards Board, is the price received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in.

Principles for the Application of Fair Value Accounting White Paper Number Two.

sound research and identifies best practices on relevant issues. CEASA's guiding criterion is Under the principles of the paper, fair value accounting.

The PCAOB conducts economic and other research and analyses to inform and support PCAOB oversight programs. Staff Consultation Paper: Auditing Accounting Estimates and Fair Value Measurements.